John H. Dutcher

John H. Dutcher, 95, passed away on Thursday, June 1, 2023 at the Charlene Manor Extended Care Facility in Greenfield.

John was born in Syracuse, NY on November 16, 1927 the son of John and Laura (Oatman) Dutcher. He was a graduate of Blodgett Vocational High School, class of 1945, where he was a member of the baseball and basketball teams.

In 1946 he enlisted in the US Army and served in Italy with the 88th Division Blue Devils until his honorable discharge in 1947. He began his banking career in 1947 with the Industrial Bank of Central New York which later merged with Lincoln National Bank. Lincoln National later became Chase Lincoln.

On August 13, 1955 John was married to Jane (Hickok), together for over 67 years. John was a graduate of the School of Consumer Banking at the University of Virginia (1962) and a graduate of the School for Credit Union Personnel at the University of Wisconsin (1979).

In 1972 John and his family moved to Greenfield when he joined the Franklin County Trust Co. as assistant vice-president. John later went on to become manager of the Five College Credit Union in Amherst. John was active in Scouting (both Cub and Boy), Syracuse Junior Chamber of Commerce (JCs), and the American Institute of Banking, serving 1 term as president of the Syracuse Chapter.

In 1983 after 36 years in the banking business, John took and early retirement and he and Jane purchased a small motel in New Hampshire while Jane continued to work in the area as a programmer/analyst. In 1995 they sold the motel and purchased their home in Bernardston where he enjoyed gardening and wood working projects.

In addition to his wife Jane, John is survived by a daughter Eleanor Atherton of Candia, NH, three sons, Stephen Dutcher of Greenfield, John (Linda) Dutcher of Belfast, ME, Paul (Karen) Dutcher of Hesperus, CO, grandchildren Stephenie (Jason) Hubert, Walter (Davina) Chudzik, Michael (Linda) Chudzik, Chris (Scott) Kelley, Doug (Angela) Domenichelli, Laura (Kyle) Zorawowicz, Dan Atherton and Adam Atherton, great grandchildren Spencer, Aidan, Maddex, Lilliana, Nick, Kyle, Daniella, Calla, and Quinn, three nieces, Barbara (Donald) Rosner, Patricia (Roger) Bracht, Susan (Stephen) Eick and one nephew, James (Gloria) Fox. He was predeceased by his parents John and Laura (Oatman) Dutcher, Sr. and his siter, Jane Fox.

John’s family wishes to thank his caregivers, Kim, Kelly and Dave for their heartfelt care and compassion.

A Liturgy of Christian Burial was previously celebrated for John and his burial took place at Calvary Cemetery in Greenfield.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Next Stop Forever, Ind., 32 Pine Grove Drive, Bernardston, MA 01337

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John H. Dutcher, please visit our floral store.